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Do you think ergonomic office furniture is overpriced or a marketing trap used by furniture dealers to sell a seemingly ordinary piece of furniture? Well, that’s not true, and we’re here to tell you why.
Unfortunately, 477,000 workers in the UK suffer from work-related musculoskeletal injuries. In 2020-2021, 16% of people suffered from lower limb issues, 39% from back pain, and 45% from upper limb or neck aches.
Therefore, with sedentary lifestyles on the rise and prolonged hours spent sitting in a chair while working, understanding ergonomics in the true sense of the term is essential. Ergonomic furniture, however, is plagued with so many misconceptions that it prevents organisations from investing in them and experiencing its life-changing benefits.
So let’s explore and debunk these misconceptions one by one.
Beware of these 5 Ergonomic Furniture Misconceptions!
Misconception 1: āOnly people with chronic pain or injuries use ergonomic chairs.ā
Fact Check: The average working professional spends two-thirds of their time at their desk. Due to repetitive tasks, prolonged muscular exertion, and poor posture, we are prone to workplace injuries, such as sprains and aches. Moreover, some people suffer from musculoskeletal injuries causing pain during everyday work activities.
Therefore, ergonomic office furniture reduces fatigue, improves overall productivity, as well as addresses the above problems.
Misconception 2: āErgonomic furniture is expensive and high-maintenance.ā
Fact Check: While some expensive brands exist, budget-friendly ergonomic executive chairs are available too. Executive desks which are height adjustable are also budget-friendly for the long term. Therefore, they should be considered a profitable investment and a money-saving strategy over the long run. How, you might ask? Ergonomic furniture results in productive work culture, reducing stress levels. As a result, medical claims and employee sick leaves go down.
Misconception 3: āErgonomic furniture is one-size-fits-all.ā
Fact Check: No two professionals have the same physique, like height, weight, size, etc. Therefore, ergonomic furniture design is based on research into people’s working environments to optimise their comfort levels by incorporating height-adjustable armrests, multiple locking systems and back support.
However, while most ergonomic furniture is designed based on average body dimensions and caters to the needs of everyone, it can be customised to the unique needs of every individual.
Also read: Guide for Choosing the Right Ergonomic Office Chair.
Misconception 4: āErgonomics is a marketing keyword.ā
Fact Check: Ergonomics is often believed to be just a marketing gimmick by furniture companies to justify their costly prices. Although it may seem evident that chairs should provide maximum comfort and support to the spine, most are poorly designed.
Nevertheless, an ergonomic office executive chair and operative chair provide good lower back support and improve posture while height-adjustable executive desks and operative desks allow easy adjustments, which can lead to increased productivity among employees.
Misconception 5: āErgonomics is synonymous with comfort.ā
Fact Check: All of us are guilty of slouching on our couches, but do you think it’s healthy for your spine or neck? Therefore, what feels comfortable may not be the best thing for our bodies.
In addition to comfort, ergonomic furniture helps promote the user’s holistic and long-term well-being by reducing the risk of lower back pain and neck aches.
Wrapping Up
When choosing furniture and designing the interior decor of your office, consider more than just aesthetics. Despite aesthetics playing a crucial role in making a positive first impression, ergonomic furniture is the key to promoting good posture and preventing workplace injuries. So let go of the misconceptions about ergonomic furniture and don’t settle for a lifetime of compromise in the workplace.
If you plan to take the essential step towards ensuring your employeeās safety and productivity, look no further than Auraa Design. Browse our website and check out our extensive collection of modern and unique ergonomic office furniture, also including ventilated phone booths with ergonomic tables, chairs with optional armrests, adjustable height and headrests. With our seamlessly integrated ergonomic features, your workspace will never be the same.